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Why choose this course

Surrey is one of the UK's leading universities for electrical and electronic engineering, with our courses ranked 3rd in the Guardian University Guide 2019.

Our BEng and MEng Electronic Engineering with Computer Systems courses are designed to cross the boundaries between hardware electronics, software and computer programming and architectures, and machine learning, preparing you for an exciting career in the information technology and computing industries, and with firmware applications such as the internet of things (IoT).

What you will study

On this course you will have opportunities to apply theory to real engineering problems and technologies, combining professional engineering skills with scientific research methods.

We will train you in electronics, computer systems, computer vision and graphics, computer algorithms and architectures, artificial intelligence, big data and machine learning.

Having built a core knowledge in electronics and computing, you’ll take modules in a range of advanced topics such as C++ and object oriented design, digital signal processing and artificial intelligence.

Through project work, you will get the chance to work with academics from our research centres and use the latest computer software and facilities.

You can apply to study for either a BEng or MEng (Masters of Engineering). The MEng builds on the BEng programme with a masters year, and is a direct route to a masters qualification. Depending on your progress, you may have the option to switch to a BEng or MEng during your studies.

Professional Training placements

A Professional Training placement provides you with the opportunity to develop your professional, academic and personal potential, equipping you to be adaptable, resilient, globally minded, confident, entrepreneurial and digitally savvy in the workplace. These qualities are widely recognised by employers and many of our students are offered employment on graduation by their placement provider.

The Professional Training placement year gives our students an insight into their subject and career potential, and early access to professional experience. It can be invaluable in developing work-based skills and helping them secure a graduate career.

Electronic Engineering with Computer Systems placements

While a university degree in itself opens the door to many careers, the Professional Training placement programme that is offered as part of our degree programmes provides a significant extra dimension to the qualification and can dramatically enhance your employability.

The industry experience provided by our Professional Training placement programme gives our students insights into both their subject and their career potential that cannot be gained by academic study alone.

We believe that professional training is one of the main factors that ensures that Surrey graduates are consistently at the top in terms of graduate employability.

Our Professional Training placement programme can be used in partial fulfilment of the training component for chartered engineer status.

You will be assisted during the second year to find appropriate placements in industry, and we will endeavour to ensure that the placement matches your interests and aspirations.

We have established strong relationships with industry over many years, and there is a great demand for our students. This ensures that there are many interesting and challenging opportunities on offer. In recent years, we have had students in placements with 85 different companies.

During the Professional Training placement year, you remain a member of the University but are also a paid, full-­time company employee. You will be visited by an academic member of staff who monitors your progress and, in discussion with the company, decides on a programme of work that will develop your expertise.

The optional Professional Training placement starts at the end of the second academic year.

Well-­known companies that have participated in the Professional Training programme include:

Intel

Sky TV

Airbus Defence and Space

Air Products

GE Healthcare

Jaguar Land Rover

AWE.

In addition, we have contacts with many smaller companies which provide excellent placement opportunities.

Many of our students return from their placement with offers of employment, and often with financial sponsorship, from their placement company.

Applying for placements

Professional Training placements are usually applied for and secured via our online placement opportunities platform called Surrey Pathfinder, within which students can select and apply for placement vacancies. Placement providers use their own recruitment and selection procedures and the majority of students will secure their placement in this way. However, support is also provided to students wishing to source their own placement, subject to university requirements being met.

Students are generally not placed by the University, however they are given thorough support and guidance alongside access to the vacancy portal representing thousands of placement opportunities each year. Please be aware there may be travel costs incurred when attending interviews and assessment centres at the placement provider’s premises.

Professional recognition

BEng (Hons) - Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

MEng - Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Accreditations

Careers and graduate prospects

A career in computer engineering offers variety, challenges and stimulation. Studying for a degree in electronic engineering with computer systems is not just the pathway to a rewarding career, but also offers an intellectually demanding and exciting opportunity to break through boundaries in research.

Many of the most remarkable advancements in the past 60 years have only been possible through the curiosity and ingenuity of engineers.

Graduate electronic engineers are in demand, not only in research and development but also in the city, in technical sales, management, and government and public services. Graduates from the Department have a consistently strong record of gaining employment with leading companies.

Employers value the skills and experience that enable our graduates to make a positive contribution in their jobs from day one. Our graduates are employed by companies across the electronics, information technology and communications industries.

Recent graduates have entered employment in roles such as:

Electronic Engineer, Paradigm Communication Ltd

Electronic Engineer, Stanhope-Seta

Graduate Engineer, Jaguar Land Rover

Developer - 3D systems, Botspot GmbH

Software Engineer, Thales

Leadership Engineering Associate, BAE Systems

Research and Development Engineer (Software), Keysight Technologies UK Ltd.

Study and work abroad

We give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities or by completing a Professional Training placement abroad. In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV. View our study and work abroad exchange information to find out more and see where you can go.

Please note: the status of the Erasmus+ scheme is dependent on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.

You have the option of spending one or two semesters abroad in your second year at one of our partner universities including:

University of Queensland, Australia

University of Wollongong, Australia

University of Malaya, Malaysia

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

California State University, US

George Mason University, US

University of Virginia, US.

International experiences expose you to a new cultural environment that develops your adaptation and communication skills and your ability to deal with unfamiliar situations, thus strengthening your academic and professional profile.

In addition, or alternatively, you may wish to consider spending your Professional Training placement year working in another country. If you work in another part of Europe you will be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant.

This is an excellent opportunity not only to acquire valuable work experience but also to improve or learn another language.

Facilities

Extensive teaching laboratories, and networked linux and windows computer suites with 24-hour access, are available to all undergraduate students in the Department.

Access to state-of-the-art research facilities is available in Year 3 for students undertaking a project linked to one of our research centres in electronics, nanotechnology, computer networking, communications, audio-visual media and space engineering.

We actively encourage you to do project work outside of timetabled hours, as long as you follow safe working practices.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) as a guide as to what to expect.

Please note: our offer terms and conditions will be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read more.

Academic year structure

The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.

The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. All taught modules are 15 credits. Project modules and dissertation modules can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60 credits.

The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.

Modules

Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.

Please note: If there is an optional Professional Training placement as part of your course, you can view the full module listing for this on the relevant programme specification.

For further information on FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6 and professional training year please view the programme specification for the full-time with PTY BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering with Computer Systems programme.

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday–Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the course administrators. View our Timetabling Policy (PDF).

Teaching

Teaching styles vary, from large group lectures to small group tutorials in your personal tutor’s office and practical laboratory sessions. The tutorial system within the Department underpins all our teaching activities and ensures individual attention when needed.

Although the Department is large, our staff are approachable and friendly, and we pride ourselves on the rapport we have with our students. Our programmes consistently receive over 90 per cent for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS).

There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by postgraduate research students. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.

Staff

Programme leader

Personal tutor

All taught students are assigned a personal tutor before beginning a programme of study. Personal tutors offer support and advice to students in the areas of:

Academic progress

Pastoral/welfare issues

Personal/professional development and employability.

Assessment

Modules are assessed individually and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports. Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.

Contact hours

Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.

Learning and disability support

We have two services, Academic Skills and Development and the Disability and Neurodiversity Service which can help develop your learning.

Academic Skills and Development

Academic Skills and Development is a learning space in the Library where our learning development team is based. It comprises dedicated Student Learning Advisers and Information Skills Librarians who can help you develop your academic and research skills, including writing, presenting, revision and critical thinking.

Disability and Neurodiversity Service

The University’s Disability and Neurodiversity Service supports students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, specific learning differences (such as dyslexia and dyspraxia) and other neurodiverse conditions (including autism spectrum and attention deficit disorder).

If you tell us about any conditions and register with us, we can give you appropriate support during your studies.

We can arrange exam and learning support adjustments, give advice on applications for the Disabled Students' Allowance, and test you for dyslexia and dyspraxia. We can also offer regular study skills and mentoring support.

English language support

Our English Language Support Programme (ELSP) provides tailored English language support during your studies. It is particularly valuable to students who speak English as a second or additional language, but native speakers are also welcome.

What qualifications do you need?

A-level

Overall

BEng (Hons):

AAB-ABB including Mathematics and one of Physics, Electronics, Computing, Computer Science, Further Mathematics, Design and Technology: Systems and Control Technology.

Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass.

MEng (Hons):

AAA-AAB including Mathematics and one of Physics, Electronics, Computing, Computer Science, Further Mathematics, Design and Technology: Systems and Control Technology.

Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass.

BEng (Hons) with foundation year:

CCC - (including Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry).

Applicants taking the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass.

Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade C(4) and Mathematics at Grade C(4) (or equivalent).

Select your country

English language requirements

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here. The University of Surrey is also an IELTS test centre.

Selection process

Offers are normally made in terms of grades.

Suitable candidates will be invited to an Applicant Day. During the visit to the University the candidate can find out more about the programme and meet staff and students.

Foundation year

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, you might still be able to apply for this course with a foundation year. A course with a foundation year includes an extra year of study to prepare you for a full degree course. Find out more about our degrees with foundation year.

Recognition of prior learning

The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If this applies to you, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience, or to join the start of a course without the formal entry requirements. This means that you may be exempt from certain elements of study in the course for which you have applied and be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.

The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.

Professional Training placement fees

Programmes marked with a tick in the table above include a Professional Training placement.

A reduced fee is charged for Professional Training placements.

Fees will not have to be paid up front for those eligible students who decide to take up the Government's loan for higher education fees. The Professional Training placement is a key factor in the high employability rates achieved by students with Surrey degrees.

Scholarships and bursaries

We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.